Turkey Launches World’s Longest Wind-Powered Cargo Ship

The world’s longest wind-powered cargo ship, Neoliner Origin, has been officially launched in Turkey, marking a major step toward reducing carbon emissions in global trade.

The 136-meter (450-foot) vessel, designed by French company Neoline and built by Turkish shipyard RMK Marine, was floated at the Tuzla port and will now undergo six months of final fittings before setting sail.

Equipped with two towering masts and 3,000 square meters of sails, the Neoliner Origin is capable of carrying 5,300 tonnes of freight over long distances. By leveraging wind power and maintaining a cruising speed of 11 knots instead of the conventional 15 knots, the ship is expected to cut fuel consumption and emissions by up to 80%, according to Neoline’s president, Jean Zanuttini.

The project, backed by France’s public investment bank (BPI) and French shipping giant CMA-CGM, aligns with global efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions in maritime transport, which accounts for about 3% of global emissions, as per the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

The Neoliner Origin is set to leave Turkey in the summer of 2025, heading to Saint-Nazaire, France, before beginning its North American route. It will serve Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, Baltimore (USA), and Halifax (Canada).